Barney Clark was an American dentist who gained fame as the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart, known as the Jarvik 7, in 1982. This groundbreaking surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Jarvik at the University of Utah. Clark lived for 112 days after the procedure, during which he became a symbol of medical innovation and the ethical debates surrounding artificial organs. His case raised important questions about the quality of life and the implications of advanced medical technology. Clark's experience highlighted both the potential benefits and challenges of using artificial hearts, influencing future developments in cardiac care and transplantation.